View Full Version : Line Level or Speaker Level
Well almost saved up for the ICE upgrade in the Toledo. Have been looking & asking around but still confused.
- Dealer 1 wants me to upgrade radio to radio w/ low level inputs because of better sound less noise etc............
I'm sure you can get better sound from a top of the line radio like Nakamichi, alpine, etc but that will set me back alot of $$$$. I really like the stock Aura radio and the money I'd save on the head unit I could use for better f/r speakers.
My plans are to upgrade the stock speakers add a amp/sub and if money permits add a 2nd 4 channel amp to power the f/r speakers.
This is actually a question for everyone who has added an amp to the stock aura or beeza radio (for sub and/or front or rear speakers :
Have you guys had problems with noise geting into your ICE?
Thanx
My recommendation would be to go in a slightly different direction!,
Buy a decent Alpine head unit and use it to power the standard in door speakers (if they are as good as the leons that is), buy a separate amp (decent Rockford monobloc amp or similar) to drive a 12" (or 2!!) subwoofer in an enclosere (dont bother with free air subs), sit back and enjoy !!:D
Originally posted by Mosser
My recommendation would be to go in a slightly different direction!,
Buy a decent Alpine head unit and use it to power the standard in door speakers (if they are as good as the leons that is), buy a separate amp (decent Rockford monobloc amp or similar) to drive a 12" (or 2!!) subwoofer in an enclosere (dont bother with free air subs), sit back and enjoy !!:D
Thanks Mosser.
It's an idea I didn't ponder,
but forgot to mention trying to keep look (looks = looks + red lighting) as stock as possible that one of the reasons I'm frowning on a headunit change. The Nakamichi (MB-100 I think) looks good but the setback in $$$ is quite a bit (1050 euros). 2nd problem is the carbon fiber interior panel is on order (not sure if I can get a DIN installation kit w/ the carbon look)???
Subs are to Infinity beta 10 out of my beeza..
I hear what you are saying, but the problem you have is that without you listening to a decent high end alpine (or similar) head unit, you cant really appreciate how much better a decent head unit is over the standard Aura in the leon,
Also, your sound quality is going to be limited by how good your source signal is no matter how much you spend on all of the other bits, you should wait till your carbon dash arrives, then look for solutions to fitting a non standard head unit then,
My Alpine head unit has improved the sound quality from the standard Leon speakers immensley!!, i have still got my MB Quart separates with titanium domed, liquid cooled tweeters ready to drop into my Leon, but the standars speakers are just so good, i wonder if it is worth the effort of doing it!!,
I have still got my 4 channel rockford fosgate amp that i used to drive the components in my last car, and the difference in sound quality improvement by driving them with the separate amp is marginal!!, so i am not going to bother fitting it now!
Icecavern
25-01-2002, 07:57
The Nakamichi units are top quality, I'd go as far as to say you won't get better. However like you say it cats big bucks.:(
I'd go for a Rockford 400.4 amp powering some upgraded components ( Kenwood perhaps ) and the second two channels bridged to power the sub.
Look at the prices for the 400.4 and some components and see if there is any cash left for a new head unit. You can get much cheaper ones than the Nakamichi and still keep the red lighting..
Pete
Originally posted by Mosser
My Alpine head unit has improved the sound quality from the standard Leon speakers immensley!!, i have still got my MB Quart separates with titanium domed, liquid cooled tweeters ready to drop into my Leon, but the standars speakers are just so good, i wonder if it is worth the effort of doing it!!,
I will wait til the carbon inserts arrive (should be in today!!). Standard speakers good?? Not sure, mine sound a bit muddy. That might be the radio.
The only thing left over from my beeza instalalation are a pair of Infinity Perfect 6.1 (excellent speakers) and a pair of infiinity beta 10 subs (also very good). Still debating all the possibilities.
Pete
What other types of radio carry the red lighting + black face plate (have seen some Rockfords but with aluminum face plates).
Icecavern
25-01-2002, 15:47
Loads of units have red/or orange illumination. You may have slightly different models to us in the UK. Best bet is to go into the nearest audio dealer and ask. Go into as many as possibleto compare prices.
Since you have the 6.1's and the subs you just need an amp and a head unit to complete the system.
Pete
Originally posted by CordobaPete
Loads of units have red/or orange illumination. You may have slightly different models to us in the UK. Best bet is to go into the nearest audio dealer and ask. Go into as many as possibleto compare prices.
Since you have the 6.1's and the subs you just need an amp and a head unit to complete the system.
Pete
Of course I'll need a set of 6.1 for rear. Open to opinions on amps:
My beeza had a 1st series soundstream. Let it go with the car caus it was old and starting to have some problems. Most everyone I speak to (the car audio fanatics) is keen on the precision power amps. The $$$ needed is way to much IMHO.